Eric Malever settled into his freshman lacrosse season at Maryland through the COVID-19 pandemic
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (BVM) — Eric Malever, a freshman from Atlanta has had an outstanding first year playing men’s lacrosse for the University of Maryland. Playing in all 16 games, the attacker had six goals and 14 assists, with 11 shots on goal averaging a .688 shots–on–goal percentage. Scoring one game-winning goal and securing six ground balls, Malever is an emerging star as a rising sophomore for the Terps’ lacrosse team.
Born and raised in Atlanta, Malever played lacrosse since he was a child. Playing travel lacrosse for the club LB3 his entire life, then finally attending Woodward Academy, Malever made the varsity lacrosse team as a freshman.
“Playing in the summers for LB3, while you travel and do what we love most, it’s just such a great environment,” Malever said. “Playing all day and hanging with some of your best friends on your team, it’s just fun. What could be better.”
Malever was a two-time US Lacrosse All-American and three-time All-State performer at Woodward Academy, as well as a team captain, 2020 First Team Preseason USA Today All-American, and four-time Under Armour All-American Underclassmen Participant. Malever totaled 501 career points (252 goals, 249 Assists) through his senior season. The amount of points is the third highest total in Georgia history.
Throughout his high school career Malever was also a 2020 Under Armour Senior game participant, two-time MVP for Woodward Academy and on the honor roll.
“Being a part of the team and representing my high school was so cool,” Malever exclaimed. I thought it was a great experience playing with kids just from my school versus other kids from their own high schools.”
Transitioning from Woodward Academy to the University of Maryland was a big change. Uniquely, Malever was going for sports and academics.
“It was very hard to adjust at first because the players are so good and the pace is so much faster,” Malever stated. I think that there are so many more schemes and plays that I wasn’t used to down in the South since lacrosse wasn’t as big up in Maryland. It was a good adjustment that took some time, but especially when playing in a year of COVID-19,”
While focusing on academics and lacrosse at Maryland, Malever learned a bunch of lessons that he was not familiar with in comparison to high school.
“In high school, I didn’t think it was bad balancing out school, lacrosse and my social life,” Malever explained. I think the same in college as well, but since classes were online this year, we didn’t have much of a social life besides within the lacrosse team. In college, it definitely has picked up more than in high school. I had to learn how to manage my time better. I learned that I had to be more responsible, and with the seniors on the team, they help lead us and give us a good example of the player that we should be.”
Another big change for Malever in comparison to playing lacrosse at Woodward Academy was the style of practicing.
“We definitely play more lacrosse now but it’s more schematics,” Malever communicated. “So, we study other teams’ tendencies, watch film and adjust to the classroom kind of exercises which is one of the biggest differences from high school. We always studied how goalies from other teams made their saves and the different defensive plays and slides that teams would perform. We also lift as a team and make sure that each player is very team-oriented and can count on each other, always. Rather than in high school and the summers where we would just play, playing lacrosse at Maryland is very team based.”
What Malever did not expect was a global pandemic to impact his first year playing lacrosse.
“It was very hard in the fall, as a freshman, not knowing anyone,” Malever explained. “We weren’t allowed to start the year right away because there were some positive tests that came back. As the season went on, we couldn’t do as much in the fall. We couldn’t play fall ball. We got tested everyday through the Big Ten. We couldn’t see anyone, not even my parents, because if we messed up and someone got Covid, then it would jeopardize the entire season. Everyone had to buy in and stay true to the rules which resulted in not having a single positive test throughout the entire season. We were the only team that did that. It was a very strict, but special year. Everyone bought in and followed the strict restrictions.”
Throughout the hardship of this very special year, Malever looked up to the senior leadership who taught him and showed him how to become exactly the type of player he should be.
“There were times that I was definitely nervous at the beginning,” he said. “I know that the senior leadership helped me out a lot realizing there is nothing to be nervous about. As the year went on, I learned a ton from them and really progressed as a player.
“We had so many great players, it was hard to not learn from someone else. I really looked up to Jared Bernhardt. He was a great role model and the best player in the country. He demonstrated what to do and I would do it. He was always guiding me along the way, so it was great to have him come back for a fifth year and show me the ropes. He was a really good leader for me.”
One of the biggest differences thus far in Malever’s career throughout club, high school and college is being able to go to the men’s lacrosse national championship. As a freshman, not many players can say they played in a national championship game before. But for Malever, he was lucky enough to cherish this moment.
“It was a great experience, something that I will never forget, especially during a year like this with Covid,” Malever said. “We ran into a really good Virginia team who was well prepared and came up short of a goal. You win some and you lose some. But I know we will be back.”
As the lacrosse season came to an end late in the spring, while overcoming a global pandemic, Malever focused on academics and his athletic career. He will continue to focus on his skills throughout the summer season while relaxing and spending time with his family. Hopefully in the fall, fall-ball will be back, and the Maryland’s men’s lacrosse team will be in full action. Look out for incoming sophomore, No. 4, Eric Malever next season.
